When Endings Ruin Everything: The Downfall of Sci-Fi Films
Explore the disappointing endings of popular sci-fi films and how they affected the overall impact of the stories.
The Promise and Pitfalls of Sci-Fi Films
Sci-fi films are known for their ability to build worlds and explore possible futures, but all of that can come to naught when the ending ruins what came before. Sci-fi is an incredibly flexible movie genre that can feature aliens, distant futures, technology beyond the possible, and stories that push the limits of reality, but even with all of that, it can still go wrong. Any movie calls on viewers to suspend their beliefs, and sci-fi does this more than most other genres, aside from fantasy, but it then needs to set out effective limits to give the story boundaries and create tension. If a sci-fi film neglects to set up the rules of reality, or, when it is convenient, ignores them all together, it can leave viewers with a sour taste. This is again made worse when a movie has so much promise and potential throughout, only to falter at the last hurdle. Thankfully, some sci-fi stories then go on to create alternative endings as a means of damage control, but it doesn't erase what came before.
Denzel Washington as Eli in The Book of Eli
Sci-fi films are a unique form of storytelling, often pushing the boundaries of what is possible and challenging viewers to think beyond the confines of reality. However, this freedom comes with the responsibility to maintain a cohesive and satisfying narrative, which includes a well-crafted ending. The endings of sci-fi films have the power to either elevate the entire story or leave a bitter aftertaste, ultimately shaping the audience's perception of the entire film. In this article, we will delve into the disappointing endings of popular sci-fi films and explore how they affected the overall impact of the stories.
Book of Eli - Denzel Washington
Disappointing Endings: A Closer Look
10 Cloverfield Lane (2016) - Forced Connection To The Franchise 10 Cloverfield Lane was set to be a standalone story, but the forced inclusion of aliens in the ending to connect it to the wider franchise detracted from its gripping horror narrative. The sudden introduction of aliens undermined the tension built throughout the film and left a sour impression on viewers, tarnishing an otherwise compelling story.
John Goodman and Mary Elizabeth Winstead in 10 Cloverfield Lane.
Star Trek: Generations (1994) - Captain Kirk's Death The anticlimactic death of Captain Kirk in Star Trek: Generations failed to give sufficient respect to the iconic character. The original ending, which had Kirk shot in the back, was revised to have him fall from a bridge collapse, but both endings left fans disappointed with the lackluster conclusion to Kirk's legacy.
Star Trek Generations Kirk dies
A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001) - David's Final Day The happy, dreamy ending of A.I. Artificial Intelligence, featuring aliens and an imaginary fairytale conclusion, felt disconnected from the poignant themes of the film. While the film resonated with audiences, the ending's departure from the film's emotional depth and complexity diminished its overall impact.
A.I. artificial intelligence David looking sad and holding a teddy bear
Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise Of Skywalker (2019) - Invalidating And Repeating The Original Trilogy The conclusion of Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker was criticized for its jarring and confusing revelations, which seemed to invalidate the journey of the original trilogy. The film's resolution left long-term fans feeling misled and dissatisfied, highlighting the detrimental effects of a poorly executed ending.
Rey and Ben Solo wielding their blue lightsabers in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
I Am Legend (2007) - Neville Needlessly Dies The theatrical ending of I Am Legend, which saw the protagonist needlessly sacrificing himself, left audiences questioning the logic and emotional impact of the conclusion. The alternative ending, which was discarded but later became official canon, offered a more emotive resolution, emphasizing the significance of a well-crafted ending in shaping the audience's perception of the story.
Will Smith and his dog on an empty street in I Am Legend
Lucy (2014) - 100% Brain Power Equals God The ending of Lucy, where the protagonist becomes a time-traveling, all-powerful being, stretched the boundaries of the film's premise to an unrealistic extent. The sudden escalation of the protagonist's abilities detracted from the film's entertainment value, ultimately diminishing the impact of the story on viewers.
Lucy Scarlett Johansson Monkey
Passengers (2016) - Unearned Happily Ever After The unresolved ethical implications of the ending in Passengers, where the film seemingly glossed over the consequences of the protagonist's actions, weakened the emotional resonance of the story. The lack of a meaningful resolution to the ethical dilemma left audiences feeling unsatisfied with the overall conclusion of the film.
Passengers images - Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence
Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets - Spectacular Start But Progressively Worsens Valerian and the City of A Thousand Planets, while visually stunning, failed to deliver a compelling and coherent conclusion, causing the initial excitement to dissipate. The film's inability to maintain its momentum and provide a satisfying resolution highlighted the importance of a well-crafted ending in preserving the audience's engagement throughout the narrative.
Valerian Movie Dane Dehaan
Life (2017) - They Sent The Wrong Pod Home The hollow and hopeless ending of Life, where the escape pod carrying the alien life form lands on Earth, undermined the tension and suspense built throughout the film. The lack of a creative resolution to the threat posed by the alien life form left audiences feeling dissatisfied with the film's conclusion.
Ryan Reynolds, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Rebecca Ferguson in Life Movie Poster
The Book Of Eli (2010) - Reciting The Bible From Memory The miraculous ability of the protagonist in The Book of Eli to memorize the entire Bible, while a stretch within the realm of sci-fi, strained the believability of the story's premise. The implausible feat detracted from the film's otherwise clever and dystopian narrative, showcasing the impact of an unrealistic ending on the overall reception of a sci-fi film.
Eli Reads the Bible in The Book of Eli
Conclusion
The endings of sci-fi films play a crucial role in shaping the audience's perception of the entire story. When poorly executed, these endings can detract from the overall impact of the film, leaving viewers dissatisfied and questioning the narrative's coherence. From forced franchise connections to unearned resolutions, the disappointing endings of popular sci-fi films highlight the importance of crafting a compelling and thematically consistent conclusion to captivating narratives. While some films attempt to mitigate the damage with alternative endings, the initial impact of a lackluster conclusion remains, underscoring the significance of delivering a satisfying and resonant ending in the realm of sci-fi storytelling.
Denzel Washington looking to the distance in a promo image for The Book of Eli.
